Islam is a religion which is fit for every time and place, compliant with the human natural disposition, takes into account the changes of life , is in line with progress and civilization, and takes the responsibility of tackling the economic, political, social, military and other problems of nations. However, many people stray from this enlightened road, and others fight against it and tarnish its image to keep people away from it. This causes a great deal of misery for individuals and communities. Allah guarantees to those who follow His Guidance and adhere to His laws happiness in both abodes, this and the next. On the other hand, Allah decreed that those who turn away from His Guidance will be met with misery and humiliation.
Allah has blessed humanity with Islam to straighten its affairs and to allow happiness in the life of this world, as well as in the Hereafter, and for the people to never be miserable in either of them. Nevertheless, the human soul, by nature, does not want obligations and restrictions that limit its fantasies, desires and whims, though these obligations are for its own well-being. It is for this reason that Allah imposed people of truth to call for the good to which He guided them, and to convey it to all of the creation.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was sent to bring happiness to his people and all people. Allah says: {We have not sent down the Qur’ân unto you (O Muhammad SAW) to cause you distress}(Tâ-¬Hâ:2)
The Almighty also says: {And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).}(Al-Anbiyâ’:107)
Pursuing the path of the Prophet (pbuh) and being committed to his method and following in his footsteps is the source of happiness and the way to salvation. Moreover, the kind of life that Allah commands us to live can only result in happiness in both abodes, while every deviation from this framework results in misery in both abodes. Allah is truthful when He says: {124. “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’ân nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” 125. He will say: “O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight (before).” 126. (Allâh) will say: “Like this, Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came unto you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-fire, away from Allâh’s Mercy).”}(Tâ¬-Hâ:124-126)
There is a vast difference between the believer about whom Allah Almighty says: {to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision)}(An-Nahl:97)
And the person who has turned away from Allah’s remembrance, about whom Allah says: {verily, for him is a life of hardship}(Tâ¬-Hâ:124)
A good life entails being committed to Allah’s commands and prohibitions in secret and in public, and having contentment in the heart towards Allah’s decree, because a believer lives under His Protection and in His Care. Allah says: {Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.}(Ar-Ra’d:28)
How the satisfaction of the heart reflects on the actions of a human in every situation is totally the opposite of the effect of he who lives in misery and distress. In this verse, Allah says: {And whomsoever Allâh wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islâm, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allâh puts the wrath on those who believe not.}(Al-An’âm:125)
His distress, misery and sullen life is not caused by poverty nor is it caused by illness. Rather, it is caused by the turmoil in every act or each matter. This is because a wretched person does not care an awful lot about whether he is having a smooth or a rough time in his life, for this will not get him out of the circle of misery he is living in. The reason for his misery lies in his way of thinking, and the increase or decrease of his wealth or whether he is in a good or bad state of health are mere causes that contribute to more misery. Allah says: {So let not their wealth or their children amaze you (O Muhammad SAW); in reality Allâh’s Plan is to punish them with these things in the life of the this world, and that their souls shall depart (die) while they are disbelievers.}(At-Taubah:55)
He also says: {And let not their wealth or their children amaze you. Allâh’s Plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart (die) while they are disbelievers.}(At-Taubah:85)
Misery is not connected to richness or poverty, nor is it caused by diseases or trials. Rather, misery is caused by being far from Allah and deviating from His path, and the breakiing of the connection between a person and his Lord. Prophet Zechariah (pbuh) implored his Lord, saying: {And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!}(Maryam:4)
Allah has honored me in the past by responding to me, thus make me happy by responding to my prayer. This matter is not just for Zechariah alone, on the contrary, our Almighty Lord tells us: {And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.}(Al-Baqarah:186)
As long as the link is still connected between a person and his Lord, his happiness will certainly be realized. His misery is a result of a severed link. The extent to which a man neglects adhering to the rules of this religion affects the amount of upset and turmoil that takes place in his self and life.
That is why Allah pairs guidance and compassion, and misguidance and misery. About the first He says: {They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.}(Al-Baqarah:5)
He says: {They are those on whom are the Salawât (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones.}(Al-Baqarah:157)
He also says: {Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery.}(Tâ¬-Hâ:123)
Guidance prevents him from straying, and compassion prevents him from misery, and this is mentioned by the Almighty in the beginning of Surat Taha, where Allah says: {1. Tâ¬-Hâ [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] 2. We have not sent down the Qur’ân unto you (O Muhammad SAW) to cause you distress}(Tâ¬-Hâ:1-2)
He made a connection between revealing the Qur’an and preventing misery from reaching him, as He says at the end of the Surah in relation to his followers: {.. neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery.}(Tâ¬-Hâ:123)
Guidance, virtue, grace and compassion are inseparable and are never detached from each other, just as misguidance and misery go hand in hand and can never be separated. Allah says: {Verily, the Mujrimûn (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.) are in error (in this world) and will burn in So’or (in the Hell-fire in the Hereafter).}(Al-Qamar:47)
So’or in the verse is the plural of Sa’eer, which is a very miserable punishment. In contrast to the fate of criminals, Allah says about the fate of the righteous in the same Surah: {54. Verily, The Muttaqûn (pious), will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). 55. In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allâh, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour).}(Al-Qamar:54-55)
This then is the road to happiness, if you wish to take it and follow it. It is a road that is not based upon myth or abstract spiritual or mental heresy, for it is the road of contentment and also the road of knowledge and civilization.
